Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current expected cost of the European Peace Facility to Ireland for each of the years 2021-2027 noting that the Athena mechanism and the African Peace Facility are funded through his Department and the Department of Defence, respectively; the Department that will have primary policy responsibility for the European Peace Facility; the expected timetable for bringing the European Peace Facility before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40035/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Given the nature of the European Peace Facility and the fact that it brings together existing instruments that are both under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs (African Peace Facility) and under the Department of Defence (Athena Mechanism), both Departments have policy responsibility for the European Peace Facility and have worked closely throughout the negotiations on establishing the Facility.

The European Council agreed the EPF’s broad parameters in June 2020, including an overall financial ceiling of a maximum of €5 billion over the seven years of the next MFF.

The EPF will be financed through Member State contributions, based on a Gross National Income (GNI) distribution key. Total expenditure for each year between 2021 and 2027 will depend on the future decisions of the Council, acting unanimously, in respect of operations and assistance measures.

Negotiations to finalise the EPF are ongoing, with the Facility due to be operational in 2021. Ireland is continuing to engage actively in negotiations on this basis. I will continue to keep the Oireachtas informed in line with established procedures.